₹5 Crore Each To Defect: DK Shivakumar Makes Explosive Bribe Offer Claims To Congress Leaders Before RS Polls

Allegations of bribery clouded the March 16 Rajya Sabha elections after Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar claimed that two Odisha Congress MLAs were each offered Rs 5 crore to cross vote in favour of rival candidates.

According to DK Shivakumar, police arrested two people, recovered a cheque and began a probe into the alleged attempt to influence the Odisha Congress MLAs. Shivakumar linked the episode to the BJP's so-called "Operation Lotus" strategy.

Rajya Sabha elections bribery claim and 'Operation Lotus’ charge

Shivakumar told reporters that the alleged bribery bid took place while the Odisha Congress MLAs stayed at a resort in Bidadi. He said four people arrived there to persuade the legislators to support non-Congress nominees in the Rajya Sabha elections.

Describing how the group allegedly approached the legislators, Shivakumar quoted one MLA as saying that intermediaries used online contact before arriving at the resort. "Four people have come. One local person named Suresh helped them; they contacted him (an MLA) online. In the morning they picked up our MLA. Our MLA told us that they offered Rs five crore for each vote. He (Congress MLA) said he is not for horse-trading," he said.

Rajya Sabha elections probe and police action

Shivakumar said financial documents were part of the alleged deal. "The cheque and everything should be seized. A complaint will be filed at the police station. After that, whatever legal action is required will be taken," the Deputy Chief Minister added, referring to the next legal steps.

He further claimed that the detained individuals gave statements supporting the bribery charge. "They have admitted it and the process is on to trace others. This is the great Operation Lotus carried out by BJP friends in Karnataka," the Deputy CM said, accusing BJP-linked networks of targeting opposition MLAs.

The Congress often used the phrase "Operation Lotus" for what it called BJP efforts to destabilise opposition governments. The party also applied the label to alleged attempts to secure extra votes for BJP-backed Rajya Sabha elections candidates by persuading MLAs from rival parties.

When asked about reported differences within Congress in Davanagere over ticket distribution, Shivakumar rejected any major rift. "Where is the confusion? All leaders have agreed to abide by the high command's decision". He spoke first at his Sadashivanagar residence and later at AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge's home.

Party sources told news agency PTI that the Odisha Congress MLAs were expected to fly to Bhubaneswar on Sunday night. They would then participate in voting for the Rajya Sabha elections on Monday morning, where an extra BJP candidate in the fray raised fresh concerns about possible horse-trading, even as the Congress and the Biju Janata Dal also fielded one candidate each.